Downdraft-kiln.



PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

G. B. SNOWDEN.

DOWNDR'APTv KILN APPLIQ'ATION Hmm JULY'M, 1905.

Unirse sfraras anni* union GEORGE E. SNOTNDEN, VOF NEW CUlVlBERliAND, WEST VIRGNI.

'i DowNDsAFT-KILN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1906. n

Application filed July 24, 1905. Serial No. 271,080.

To all whom, :it may concern:

Beit known that l, GEORGE E. SNOWDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Cumberland, in the county of Hancock, State of W'est Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Downdraft- K ilns', of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a downdraft-kiln, and particularly to improvements upon the construction shown in patent to T. l. Brett, No. 780,021, January 17, 1905, by which. the improved features there disclosed are adaptedfor use in connection with a kiln in which the chimneys are built in the walls thereof.

The invention has for an object to provide an improved construction and arrangement of these flue connections with their chimneys whereby the draft may be balanced in the several parts of the kiln and an even tem.- perature thereby maintained, so that the entire contents may be burned as quickly as the material will admit thereof, therebyT effecting a material saving in time and fuel.

A further object of the invention is to proi vide a series of three flue systems, each adapti will be hereinafter setforth, and the novel ed to be independently controlled by the chimneys communicating therewith, so that if one portion of the kiln is backward or slow in heating the operator may by proper adjustment of the dampers bring it to the desired temperature, and thus effect an even and' thorough burning of all of thecontents ofthe kiln before the same is o ened.

Other and further objects o the invention which may be of any desired configuration or' i Construction and provided with the usual furnaces A', built in the walls thereof and alter- -nating with the chimneys D2, likewise formed as part of the kiln structure. The improvements presented by this invention relate particularly to the construction and arrangement ofthe -llues beneath the floor A5 kiln, and these flues comprise a central circular iue B, having at each side radially-disposed flues B extending therefrom and at the outer ends communicating with a chimney B2, so as to secure a constant downward draft in both directions from the center of the kiln. This circular ilue is provided with radial lues B3 extending therefrom, of less diameter or area than the draft-flues B.

These radial lues B3 are closed 'at their outer i.

draft may be balanced. The radial iiues B are also provided with openings B7 therein.

The parts so far described comprise they central ilue system, andv upon each side thereof segmental flue systems C and D are provided, they being substantially similar in construction and eachcontrolling one-third I of the area of the' kiln to be heated. These liues are each provided with radial flues C and D, extending to the chimneys C2 and D2, constructed in the'wall of the kiln, and adj acent to this wall are provided with elongated draft-openings C3 and D3 to properly spread the draft at the kiln-wall and to produce a proper heating of all sides of the material at that point. vided with a suitable damper D4, as shown in Fig. l. At the ends, of the segmental llues C and D radial hues C5 and D5 are provided and extend parallel with the main flues B. The kiln is provided with suitable door-openings of any desired character-for instance, as

shown at Ci-and the chimney at that point` is deflected to one side and adjacent to the alternated furnace, as shown at C5. The flues C and D communicate with suitable openings C7 and D7, formed in the floor ofv the Each of the chimneys is pro-y kiln, each of these beingspaced at snbstantially equal distances from the chimneys controlling the same, whereby the draft is equalized at the different parts of the kiln. For the purpose of equalizing this draft the area or si'ze of the flue systems C and D is less than that of the central flue and its radial extenof tnhel sions but the total area of the flue-spaces IOO controlled by each ol' the systems is substantially equal.

The system of lines hereinbefore described permits an even temperature to be maintained throughout the entire contents ot the kiln, and consequently the- Ware therein may be burned at an appreciable saving ol time and fuel. It is also evident that if one portion ofthe kiln is at too high or too low a temperature the operator can readily control the draft to bring that portion to the desired temperature and theunish the burning of all of the contents of the kiln evenly and prevent the uneven burning otv a portion thereof, which frequently occurs. The ilue system is simple in construction and vcomprises only three sections, the two outer ones of which are controlled by the smaller chimneys C2 and D2, While the tWo larger chimneys B2 control the central portion ot the kiln, so that there is no complication of fines, as each system is entirely independent of the other. It will also be observed that the ports or draftopenings in the floor of the kiln are disposed at substantially equal distances from their respective chimneys in the two semicircular ilues, so as to secure the most even and equal draft through each thereof, While the central ilue is supplied with a greater number of ports in order to produce the same draft, as the ports nearest the chimneys have a greater draftthan those removed therefrom, By this arrangement the central circular flue is adapted to balance with the two segmental tlues.- It Will also he observed that the ports at the flue-Walls are narrow and elongated, so as to spread the draft at that point and cause the material in the kiln next t f ff thereof to receive the full draft on all It will also be observed that the disposition of the chimneys at equal distances from the vfurnaces provides for the even heating of the kiln, as Well as the balancing et thedratt, which is absolutely essential in securing ellicient results in the burning of material therem Having noW described my invention, What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A doWndraft-liiln provided with chimneys disposed at the outer kiln-wall, a central draft-flue beneath the 1Kiln-floor provided with radially-extending fines each communieating with a chimney at its outer end, and independent segmental flue systems at each side of the central ilue and provided with a plurality ot radial fines each disposed intermediate of two 'licor-openings land communicating With an independent chimney of less area than the chimney of the central flue.

2. A doWndrait-kiln provided with chimneys disposed at the outer kiln-wall, a central draft-flue beneath the kiln-floor provided with radially-extending llues each communieating with a chimney at its outer end, independent segmental ilue systems at each side of the central ilue and provided with a plurality of radial ilues each communicatin@r with an independent chimney, and a floot structure provided with elongated draftports adjacent to each of the chimneys controlling the segmental lues.

3. A downdraft-kiln provided with chimneys disposed at the outer kiln-Wall, a central draft-flue beneath the kiln-floor provided With radially-extending lues each communi- 4. In a doWndratt-kiln, a central circular ilue occupying substantially one-third of the door area of the kiln', radial lues extending from this central 'flue and closed at their outer ends, independent segmental lues disposed at opposite sides of said central lue, a series oi radial -itlues extending from the segmental tlues and disposed between each pair of llooropenings therein, chimneys disposed in the kiln-walls and cach communicating with said radial `Hues from the segmental lues, and heating-furnaces disposed in the kiln-walls alternating with said chimneys.

5. In a doWndraft-kiln, a centra-l flue having opposite radial extensions therefrom communicating with chimneys at their outer ends, independent segmental lues at opposite sides of said central liuc of less cross-sectional area than the central flue, a plurality oi radial lines extending therefrom and dis-fposed between each pair of floor-openings in the segmental lues, and chimneys controlling said segmental lines.

6. A doWndraft-lriln comprising central and segmental sections, direct iiues from the central section to diametrically opposite chimneys, radial lucs from the segmental sections each terminating in a chimney of less area than those connected with the central section, and suitable floor-openings communicating with said llues. i

7. A downdraft-kiln comprising central and segmental sections, direct rines from the central section. to diametrically opposite chimneys, radial iiues from the segmental sections each terminating in a chimney ot' less area than those connected with the central section, and licor-openings in the segmental section ea-clrlarranged intermediate two adjacent lines.

S. A doWndraft-lriln comprising central and segmental sections, direct ilues from the central section to diametrically opposite IOO IIO

chimneys, radie ues from the segmental communicating with both diametrieallly opsections eeen terminating in a chimney of posite chimneys. ro less aree than those connected with the oen- In testimony whereof I affix my signature tral section, floor-openings in the segmental vin presence of two Witnesses.

section each arranged intermediate two ad GEORGE E. SNOWDEN. jacent nues, ooropenings for the central Witnesses:

section arranged at the terminal of rediei -FAY GAIN,

iues extending from e Central annuler spaee JOHN R. DONEHOO. 

